2nd. Another great defence against the Cholera, and indeed against all disorders, is cleanliness. This is true both of personal cleanliness, and also of cleanliness in our houses, streets, &c. As to the first of these, we do not enough consider the great importance of keeping the skin in a healthy state. The skin is a natural drain to many of the bad humours of the body. Every one knows how useful it is to get a man into a perspiration or sweat when he is ill, to set the pores of his skin open. Now dirt chokes up these pores, and thus stops what may be called the proper drainage of the body. It is very much to be wished that people in this country were more aware of the advantages of bathing or washing themselves thoroughly; not their faces and hands only but their whole bodies and limbs; it would be as useful to their health, as it would be comfortable. Again, cleanliness in our houses is very important; to get rid of all close smells by throwing open the windows, to sweep away the dirt out of holes and corners, from under beds, chests of drawers, and other places where it is apt to be left for a long-time undisturbed. Much harm is done also by any thing that stands near a window so as to hinder the fresh air from pouring into the room thoroughly, and in the same way all that crowds a room is bad, all that hinders the air from having a free course into every corner of it. Small rooms are sometimes very much choked up by bedsteads and curtains, which not only are in the way of the air, but are also great hiding places for dirt. As to the heaps of dirt and the filthy slops that we often meet with before the doors of small houses, these are absolutely public nuisances, and the Parish itself should take care that these things are looked to in time, for it will be too late when the Cholera is actually amongst us.
3rd. A third great defence against the Cholera is not to be afraid of it. Whether it is in the air, or whether it may be caught from other people, fear in either case makes us especially apt to take it. Every one knows how seldom Doctors take any disorder from the sick persons whom they visit, and the great reason of this is, because they are not afraid: they are used to be in the way of sickness, and therefore it does not so much alarm them. To be cheerful and active therefore, to go about our common business and our common amusements, and to think as little about the Cholera as possible, would be very great means of keeping us safe from it. But you will say that a man cannot be cheerful with the fear of death before his eyes, that it will weigh upon his spirits, in spite of all he can do to shake it off. Fear indeed is hard to be reasoned with, and the fear of death is hardest of all; but though it may not be reasoned with it can be prayed against. True it is that the chance of taking the Cholera is a very fearful thing, if we are not fit to die: the prospect of a sudden and painful disease carrying us off in twenty-four hours, is a very terrible one, if death is without hope to us. But what if fear be taken usefully, and make us set about obtaining that which will make us justly bold? What if the thought of this new disorder, which kills those whom it does kill in so very short a time, should lead us to think seriously of death, and why it is that we fear it? What if it should make us see clearly what is the Sting of Death, and labour and pray earnestly to be delivered from it? What if it should lead us to seek the Lord while he may be found, to turn to Him in all sincerity, who died and rose again for us, that we might not fear to die, because our Hope is to rise as He is risen? Truly, if the fear of the Cholera leads us to seek this only real way of not being afraid of it, it will be both to our bodies and our souls not so much a curse as a blessing.
My object in writing this has been merely to give some information to those who do not see much of books or newspapers. Of course those who do, know already just as much about the Cholera, and very likely much more than I do. And further for those persons who if they read a newspaper do not keep it by them, I have thought it right to reprint the Directions published by Sir Henry Halford, the President of the London Board of Health, and circulated with his authority in London.
AN INHABITANT OF RUGBY.
November 11th.
Advice to Families for the prevention and cure of this dreadful malady.
(As extracted from the London Gazette the 20th Oct., 1831.)
“It is important to point out the instant measures which may safely and beneficially be employed where medical aid cannot immediately be procured. All means tending to restore the circulation and maintain the warmth of the body, should be had recourse to without delay. The patients should always immediately be put to bed, wrapped up in hot blankets, and warmth should be sustained by other external applications, such as repeated frictions with flannels and camphorated spirits; poultices of mustard and linseed (equal parts) to the stomach, particularly where pain and vomiting exist; similar poultices to the feet and legs to restore their warmth. The returning heat of the body may be prompted by bags containing hot salt or bran applied to different parts of it. For the same purpose of restoring and sustaining the circulation, white wine whey with spice, hot brandy and water, or sal volatile, in a dose of a tea-spoonful, in hot water, frequently repeated, or from 5 to 20 drops of some of the essential oils, as peppermint, cloves, or cajeput, in a wine-glass of water, may be administered: with the same view, where the stomach will bear it, warm broth, with spice may be employed. In very severe cases, or where medical aid is difficult to be obtained, from 20 to 40 drops of laudanum may be given in any of the warm drinks previously recommended,
“HENRY HALFORD,
President of the Board.”
Rowell and Son, Printers, Rugby.